Tech volleyball team ready for clean start

Published: Friday, August 24, 2007

TRAVIS CRAMFOR THE A-J

A drawing board is nothing new to sports and coaches, who often use it to draw up game plans, moves and illustrate to players what their fearless leader is seeing. A drawing board can become filled with hundreds of ideas and numbers, but a blank one might be the best.

After a 12-17 season a year ago, the Texas Tech volleyball team is happy to wipe those numbers away for a clean start.

The Red Raiders had become synonymous with having a powerful outside hitter named Philister Sang the last two seasons. But with Sang now gone, senior setter Emily Ziegler said the focus shifts to other players while the team tries to shift its focus away from the woes it's had the past three years.

College volleyball

Who: Texas Tech vs. Virginia

What: UNLV Tournament

Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas

When: 6:30 p.m. today

Records: Season opener for both teams

Radio: KKAM 1340 AM

"It's almost like a brand new team," she said. "This year we're changing things up, and I think if we can control our ball control and use the players we have to their full potential, we could see some things happen."

The Raiders will get their first test today as the team faces off against Virginia to open the UNLV Tournament in Las Vegas. Tech will then face Arizona State and host UNLV on Saturday.

Tech head coach Nancy Todd said that while it's easy to notice Texas, Oklahoma and defending national champion Nebraska on the team's Big 12 Conference schedule, the Raiders must take this season game by game.

"It's more than just looking at each match," she said. "We need to look at each game carefully and not look too far ahead while we are still in those games."

Closing out matches will be the biggest focus for the team, and in the middle of everything are seniors Amy Gandy and Alicia Ostmeyer. Gandy, formerly known as Amy Charlebois, was second on the team last year in kills with 287, while Ostmeyer was fourth with 162. The two will lead the attack this season with the additions of freshman middle blocker Becca Baldwin and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College transfer Brandi Hood. Hood earned NJCAA all-American honors while totaling 641 kills and 498 digs in 277 games with the Lady Dragons.

One leader who emerged for the Raiders last season was the shortest of them all.

Sophomore libero Jenn Harrell replaced Desiree Batista last season and quickly made it known to her teammates that she wanted to be a leader.

"She's a great player," Ziegler said. "She shows such a passion for the game and a constant drive to do better and be the best. I think she's actually harder on herself out there than the coaches are sometimes."

Harrell played in 103 games last season to lead the team with 326 digs. Her personal-best 21 digs came against Texas last season.

Harrell said it was important for her to excel last year, and now she has a better feel for the collegiate game as well as Big 12 competition.

"I learned the season goes by really fast," she said with a sigh. "In this conference it can be a good day or a bad one for any team at any point."

Tech will play in three tournaments, including one the team will host Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The Raiders begin conference play Sept. 12 against Colorado.

Ziegler said this season should be one to remember - not just for her, but for everyone on the team.

"Every year we set goals and want to make it to the NCAA tournament," she said. "This year, we have what it takes to get there. We're the 'little engine that could' and now we can."